Boston University researcher Nobuyuki Ishibashi has been awarded a $6.5M grant from the Department of Defense to study caspase inhibition for neuroprotection in pediatric cardiac surgery patients who suffer from life-long neurological deficits and behavioral problems.
Researchers studying age-related cognitive decline may discover a novel therapy using extracellular vesicles from young stem cells. The treatment aims to slow memory loss with aging and potentially protect against Alzheimer's disease.
A new study associates Slit Guidance Ligand 2 (SLIT2) protein levels with neurocognitive test scores in middle-aged individuals, suggesting a potential biomarker for detecting mild cognitive impairment and early dementia. The research also found that SLIT2 levels in vitreous humor are up to seven times higher than in plasma.
A new study found that youth suicide rates are moving in different directions across countries, with some groups seeing stable or declining rates while others show increases. In the US, youth suicide rates have recently begun to level off or decline, but young men still account for the highest overall rates.
Researchers studied childhood social determinants and their impact on young adult cardiovascular health, finding associations with poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and adverse blood cholesterol levels. The study aims to guide pediatricians and public health policy makers in promoting better lifelong health trajectories.
A Boston University researcher proposes re-evaluating medical parole policies to focus on compassionate release and expedited decision-making by an external medical review board. Studies show that only 11% of applications are granted, resulting in thousands dying in prison each year, disproportionately affecting Black people.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine are investigating the link between chronic wound stress and aging. The team will study whether prolonged wound stress accelerates both biological aging markers and physical decline in older adults.
Dane Scantling received a 3-year NIH grant to use geospatial methods to identify non-trauma centers that could narrow disparities in access to care for shooting victims. The research aims to estimate potential lives saved by converting these hospitals into trauma centers.
A new study found that people with more years of education lost their memory and thinking abilities faster after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The researchers analyzed data from over 1,300 older adults and suggest that common cognitive tests may miss early signs of the disease in highly educated individuals.
A high protein diet, rich in tryptophan, increases the risk of cancer-associated venous thrombosis. The study found that inhibiting tryptophan metabolism and blocking its metabolite Kynurenine can mitigate this risk.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that tiny particles in the blood, known as exosomes, can reprogram immune cells inside tumors making them weaker and allowing the cancer to grow and spread more easily. The study provides new insights into why people with type 2 diabetes have worse breast cancer outcomes.
Researchers from Boston University identified mutational signatures in a large Chinese population, finding similarities with American populations but also distinct correlations with clinical factors. The study provides new insights into the relationship between environmental exposure and cancer development.
BU researchers Hui Feng and Venetia Zachariou have received a $2.1 million NIH grant to fund a five-year training program in biomolecular pharmacology. The program aims to prepare the next generation of independent investigators through individualized and multidisciplinary research training.
Researchers at Boston University developed an AI tool that can accurately predict key signs of Alzheimer's disease, including amyloid beta and tau presence, using common tests like brain scans and memory checks.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine explored a new curriculum that encouraged medical students to explore attitudes like trust while learning bedside cardiac assessment. The study found that knowledge, skills, and attitudes worked together, with humility being key to patient-centered communication and building trust.
Researchers at Boston University have found that exosomes released by obese tissues can turn slow-moving TNBC cells into highly mobile and invasive ones. This discovery could lead to the development of non-invasive biomarkers for metastatic risk and new drug targets like Rho-protein inhibitors.
Researchers at Boston University have created a new language model called PodGPT that combines expert knowledge from podcasts with the latest research articles. The model has been shown to better understand and answer scientific questions, particularly those related to biology, math, and medicine.
Aortic aneurysms are potentially lethal dilatations of the aorta with limited treatment options. Researchers seek to understand molecular mechanisms and develop targeted therapies to prevent AA morbidity and deaths. Dr. Francesca Seta aims to create experimental tools for novel therapies.
Jingyan Han has received a three-year, $300,000 AHA Transformational Project Award to study artificial blood vessels using 3D printing. Her research aims to improve understanding of vascular biology and disease resistance by investigating the role of cell alignment in vascular function.
A new study found low free thyroxine levels in pregnancy increased risk of gestational diabetes, but mild subclinical hypothyroidism was not associated with higher risks. Levothyroxine treatment may not be necessary for mild cases, and further clinical trials are needed to determine its potential benefits.
Veterans with female sex and racial/ethnic minority groups are disproportionately affected by opioid overdose deaths. Younger females and racially minoritized veterans experience high rates of overdose deaths during times of healthcare stress.
Boston University medical students Teresia Perkins and Mathew Krick have been awarded the ASCO Medical Student Rotation Award for their groundbreaking projects on prostate cancer treatment and uveal melanoma research. Their studies aim to identify care gaps and inform targeted interventions to improve outcomes in underprivileged popula...
Advanced gallbladder cancer patients with T3/T4 stages face high complication and mortality rates from aggressive surgery. Researchers recommend personalized treatment approaches tailored to individual risk factors to improve outcomes and quality of life.
A new study found that implementing child access prevention laws and concealed carry permitting policies in each state could prevent up to 110,000 firearm suicides from 2010-2019. This data supports evidence-based firearm legislation aimed at reducing firearm-related deaths.
Researchers found that unconditional cash transfers improve breastfeeding rates and have little impact on postpartum mood. UCTs ease financial strain, allowing parents to rest and bond with their baby, leading to better child development and stronger families.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have received a $3.1M NIH grant to study the molecular mechanisms of aortic aneurysms and dissections. The study aims to understand whether preventing oxidative post-translational modifications on sirtuin-1 can prevent aortic aneurysm progression.
Researchers have identified brain regions sensitive to self-death associations in veterans at low risk for suicide. The findings provide insight into the neural mechanisms that contribute to suicidality and may aid in the development of novel treatments targeting the brain mechanisms underlying suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Dennis Jones, a BU researcher, has received the Cotran Early Career Investigator Award for his work on cancer research and vascular biology. He aims to improve T cell entry into tumors by developing approaches to enhance blood vessel function.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine discovered that PAX3 mainly uses its paired domain to bind to DNA and turn on genes promoting cell growth and survival. The study suggests that targeting the paired domain of PAX3 could be an effective way to treat melanoma.
A new study, led by the Boston University CTE Center, aims to develop a definitive diagnostic criteria for CTE in living patients. The study will recruit 350 men, including 225 former college and professional football players, to investigate new potential biomarkers using blood and brain imaging.
Cassandra Pierre, a BU researcher, has received the Bayard Rustin Award for Courage for her work on low-cost interventions to prevent infections in vulnerable populations. Her clinical interests include HIV management in pregnant women and subpopulations.
A new study found Haitian immigrant mothers who arrived in the US in 2021 or later experience high blood pressure during pregnancy and financial struggles after giving birth. This highlights serious health risks faced by recent Haitian immigrants, including hypertension and postpartum financial concerns.
A novel biological pathway, the IL6 pathway, has been identified as central to calciphylaxis skin lesion initiation and progression. Blocking this pathway could prevent progression of skin ulcers and resolve pain in patients with calciphylaxis.
A new study by Boston University School of Medicine researchers found that negative distractions significantly disrupted participants' ability to sustain attention during tasks, leading to decreased accuracy and speed. The findings also revealed that upsetting distractors were better remembered than neutral or positive ones, suggesting...
Boston University School of Medicine has received PCORI funding to study the long-term effects of federal policy changes on opioid use disorder treatment. The study aims to identify where and for whom more patient-centered practices can be implemented.
A new study suggests that food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Southern India contributed to increased tuberculosis (TB) mortality. Researchers found that households faced significant financial struggles and made nutritional sacrifices due to lockdowns, leading to worsened health outcomes.
Researchers from Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine have found a new role for the transcription factor Traffic Jam in promoting female fruit fly fertility. The discovery solves the 30-year-old mystery of how Flamenco gets activated to protect fruit fly ovaries from genetic parasites.
A new study from Boston University School of Medicine found that X-rays can predict common low back pain problems in approximately 75% of cases. In these instances, X-rays may be a preferred initial imaging study, reducing the need for MRI scans and associated costs.
The Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine's Master of Science Physician Assistant (PA) Program has risen 34 places to tie for 26th among all PA programs in the country. The seven-semester program focuses on addressing a critical shortage of physicians and prepares students to care for vulnerable populations.
The peer review process in biomedical journals is expected to undergo a significant transformation with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) by 2025. AI will assist editors in making decisions on which articles to send out for external peer review, potentially increasing efficiency and effectiveness.
Allegations of research misconduct threaten the validity of science, requiring medical journals to have transparent and consistent processes for evaluation and correction. Journals should apply uniform definitions of misconduct consistently to maintain trust in science.
Venetia Zachariou, a BU professor, receives a Distinguished Investigator award to research G protein pathways in opioid analgesia. The goal is to block addiction-related effects while enhancing analgesic properties.
Boston University researchers have introduced a novel computational framework that applies pitch-shifting to protect speaker identity while preserving acoustic features essential for cognitive assessment. The framework achieved accurate diagnosis of normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia in 62% and 63% of datasets.
Craig Noronha has been elected to the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine (APDIM) Council, bringing his expertise in faculty development and residency education. As a councilor, he will focus on program development and advocacy.
A new study introduces an online tool to guide surgical decisions for gallbladder cancer, identifying key risk factors that can help predict futile surgery. The tool may improve overall survival rates and reduce unnecessary risks for patients with advanced-stage disease.
Sun Lee, MD, MSc, receives AACE's Rising Star in Endocrinology Award for outstanding leadership and innovative research on thyroid disorders and iodine nutrition. The award honors physicians who demonstrate actionable outcomes in patient care, scientific endeavor, and education.
A new study by Boston University researchers reveals that insulin resistance increases the aggressiveness and brain metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer. The findings highlight the need for personalized treatments and monitoring for patients with obesity-driven diabetes and aggressive breast cancer.
A new study has found that widely used consumer-grade digital devices like smartphones and smartwatches can be effective in assessing cognitive health. This allows for early education and detection of cognitive changes, enabling individuals to enact lifestyle modifications and slow or prevent decline.
The Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) has published new evidence-based guidelines for ICU design, emphasizing a patient- and family-centered approach. The recommendations aim to improve clinical practice, patient safety, and staff work environment.
A new review highlights the shortcomings of existing methods for assessing socioeconomic status in TB studies, calling for more accurate and comprehensive measures. Adopting tools like the global multidimensional poverty index could lead to targeted interventions and stronger policy recommendations.